Good practice

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[edit] Good practice in presenting research and policy position papers

If you are looking for advice on writing policy position papers, have a look here for suggestions on content and formatting of effective and compelling papers. You should also look at a wide range of policy papers prepared by others, to get an idea of how others approach the writing of policy position papers. Look, too, at the resources suggested on the Online resources page.

[edit] Examples

The list below has links to research and papers published by others to provide some ideas about presentation. The intention is to provide you with some ideas that you can amend as you see fit to fit your particular needs and circumstances.

CUTS Centre for International Trade, Economics & Environment is based in Nairobi, though the parent organisation was originally establised in India. They have a number of policy position papers on their website. One looks at the slightly esoteric issue of EU/ Indian arguments about the dumping of bed linen. It is quite densely written, but is well laid out, and could be a good model.

The (UK) Confederation of British Industry has a good policy section on its website with policy position papers that can be downloaded, policy mini-sites giving one page synopses of policy positions, responses to consultations, etc. Click to go directly to one example of a CBI policy paper

The (UK) Engineering Employers Federation also has a good policy section. Click to look at a policy document on Modern Manufacturing

I asked Tom Sullivan, Chief Counsel at the US Office of Advocacy until the end of 2008 for his recommendations for good examples of policy papers coming from the US. His immediate responses was that no advocacy organisation exists in the United States without the ability to put issue papers together. He noted that even Congress has them. Here are a few examples:

The US Senate's Republican Policy Committee puts together well prepared issue papers - which Senators on which Senators rely to voting. Obviously they cover more than just business and regulatory issues, but may offer a few ideas.

Not surprisingly the US Senate's Democratic Policy Committee also prepare reports on key issues, though these are not presented nearly as well

The conservative Heritage Foundation puts together "Web Memos" which are good snapshot pieces on various subjects.

In Tom's opinion, the best issue papers in Washington may be found at the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council. Each topic area has a drop down menu and a host of one-pagers. They are succinct and to the point.

Guidance for writing policy position papers, and a sample, are available at KnighhtMUN

If you have found good examples, please add them here!